The Silence Between Breaths

The fact that I started this book at 9am this morning and just finished it at 6pm shows exactly how gripping this story is. Not only was it hugely powerful and topical it was thought provoking and heartbreaking in equal measures. 8 passengers board a train from Manchester to Euston, each one has a fascinating back story and it was so easy to get sucked into their lives and fears and courage. A sad tale of terrorism and today's crazy world. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this ARC.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this advance review copy.

I requested this book from netgalley as I could see the story took place on a train. For some reason, I like books about trains! I expected it to be something along the lines of Murder on the Orient Express. How wrong was I! I started this book yesterday and finished it today, part of it I actually read whilst I was on a train, which probably wasn't one of my better ideas!

It centres around 8 passengers getting on board a train in Manchester heading towards London. All of these people are given their own story - some are traveling on business, some for pleasure, one for a job interview, a family heading to a family wedding, and also the staff on the train. There is also one other man, a young Asian man with a backpack.....

As the story goes you, you get to find out the stories of everyone, why they are there, their background and what kind of people they are. You also hear the young Asian man's story - why he's about to do what he does. Obviously the inevitable happens and it's pure destruction. The author takes you right into the middle of the catastrophic aftermath.

It's a story of people, of relationships, of terror, of anger and of overwhelming sadness. Made even more so heartbreaking with the recent terror attacks in Europe, it certainly makes you think about it can only be a matter of time something like this happen again on our soil. It's also a story of friendship, support and an understanding of how well people pull together in times of crisis. I like the way that the author doesn't make it one sided, it's not just the passengers and their families who suffered, but also the family of the young Asian man. They had no idea what he had planned and were just as much victims.

I've read true life stories of such things - obviously 7/7 being the main one. I've never read one as good as this as a novel. I wouldn't say I really enjoyed, it's probably not the type of book to 'enjoy', but it was a well thought story which kept me gripped till the last page. Would recommend, but be mindful that the topic isn't for everyone.

Five stars!

Eight passengers get settled into their coach on the 10.35 train from Manchester to London Euston. Some are bound for work, reunions, new starts, holiday etc.

The passengers all have their own story ti tell why they are traveling on the train and we find out a bot about their background. Also Naz the trains customer service assistant who dreams of better things as he collects the customers rubbish.

Then there's Saheel who's carrying a deadly rucksack.......

The book covers before and after the event. The devastation brought through the acts of their son.

I would like to thank Net Galley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author Cath Staincliffe for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me well out of my comfort zone but I am so glad I took the risk. Immediately gripping and offering an expertly crafted snap-shot of modern day life and its diversity, the plot sweeps us effortlessly along to the gruesome climax that we are certain of from the outset. This is so much more than an horrific thriller - it is the story of real people caught up in an all too real and poignantly topical catastrophe. I would definitely describe it as an experience rather than an enjoyment - very well done!

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for letting me read this gem of a book. The story revolves around the unfortunate world we live in today, with the devastation that affects passengers on board a Manchester to Euston train. The book is so graphically well written, the characters just come alive in the writing and you just connect with them from the off, I would thoroughly recommend this book which had tears rolling down my cheeks and the characters and story will stay with me for a long time.

Like any other morning at a busy city centre train station. Passengers wait to board a train at Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston. They are starting holidays, new employment and escaping from the past as well as the future.

Imagine taking off the top of the train and picking on a few random people to find out about. Who are they and why are they on that train and what are they bound for on their journey

Holly has landed a job in the capital and she wants to make the most of it and her life, she is excited about going.

Jeff has never had a proper job and is going for his first interview. Understandably nervous he wants to make sure he doesn't fail.

Naz is dreaming of when he owns and runs his own restaurant. In the meantime, he will continue to clean the carriage of its detritus left behind by the passengers and carry on dreaming.

Nick and Lisa, with their children Eddie and baby Evie are often to a family wedding. Nick doesn't want to be on the train, in fact I don't think Nick even wants to be with his family.

Meg is going on holiday with her partner, Diana but they are both keeping secrets from each other.

Rhona really does not want to be on the train with her work colleagues when she has left her daughter poorly at home, but still making her go to school.

Caroline, is constantly answering her phone from her mother, whose dementia seems to be getting worse with every call.

Saheel is sat on the train with a rucksack.......

Kulsooom is not on the train but she goes to use her brother's computer and she discovers something which is going to change her life forever.

If you can imagine the rhythm and motion of a train on the tracks as you go on a journey, no matter how long or short, you can pick up the flow of this story. You have prior knowledge early on you know what is going to happen and you cannot do anything to stop the momentum. All of this builds for the climax of the story but perhaps it is not as you think it all will be.

This is very much a story of today, of the news items we watch day in day out, of the threats that have been carried out and the ones that have been adverted. What it does differently which made it stand out for me was that you saw the other side of the story, you saw how it affected those left behind. You saw the choices some people made so they could live or save others. You also saw with heartbreaking reality the choices made when they were going to die.

You don't enjoy this book as there seems something wrong in saying you enjoy a book which is very much like reading a news report in the paper or watching the equivalent on the television. You have to know what happens, which is one I had to keep reading, it took me no time to read it. It pulled me right in and more and I started to ask questions, to stop and pause and look around as I read it.

You just do not know what is going on in anyones life and Cath Staincliffe has glimpsed a moment, a moment that will change everyone.